Lafayette vs Little Rock

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in Lafayette has the same purchasing power as $70,000 in Little Rock.

Conversely, $75,000 in Little Rock equals $80,357 in Lafayette.

Living in Lafayette vs Little Rock

Housing Costs

Lafayette's housing index of 73 is higher Little Rock's 62, translating to median home prices of $214,000 vs $170,000. The $44,000 difference in home prices means roughly $2,856 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $1,100/mo in Lafayette compared to $950/mo in Little Rock, a monthly difference of $150.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 96 in Lafayette and 94 in Little Rock. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $456/month in Lafayette vs $447/month in Little Rock. The difference in grocery costs between these cities is relatively minor and unlikely to be a deciding factor in relocation.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 97 in Lafayette and 88 in Little Rock. Monthly utility bills average approximately $388 in Lafayette vs $352 in Little Rock. Utility costs are relatively comparable between these two cities.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 80 in Lafayette and 90 in Little Rock. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 10-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $61,900 in Lafayette and $47,638 in Little Rock. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $68,778 and $56,712 respectively. Lafayette residents enjoy stronger real purchasing power despite higher nominal wages.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,444/month to housing in Lafayette vs $1,112/month in Little Rock. In Lafayette, median rent of $1,100/mo fits within this budget. In Little Rock, median rent of $950/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 11 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Moving & Relocation Resources

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